Our Bohemian adventure : Prague : Part 1 - Old Town

In early December we ventured to Prague, capital of Czech Republic - and former capital of the Kingdom of Bohemia. We spent five days exploring this wonderful city.

The Old Town Square dates from the 12th century and started life as the central marketplace for Prague. Over the centuries buildings of Romanesque, Baroque and Gothic styles were erected around the market

The Old Town Hall Tower was built in 1338. In 1364 the Old Town Hall Tower was joined to a private house adjoining it, which in turn was knocked into other houses beside that. This amalgamation of buildings became known as the 'Old Town Hall'. Extensive renovation in 1470 further integrated the various houses of the Old Town Hall. And all the buildings were remodelled in the Gothic style

The Astronomical Clock, built in to one side of the Old Town Hall Tower, dates from the 15th century

On the hour, every hour, a small trap door opens and Christ marches out ahead of his disciples in the procession of the Twelve Apostles

We then headed towards the famous Charles Bridge

Charles Bridge (Karlův most) is a 14th century stone bridge linking the two sides of Prague. This is the main pedestrian route connecting the Old Town with the Lesser Town and Prague Castle

King Charles IV commissioned the bridge. The foundation stone was laid in 1357. Charles IV's favourite architect and builder, Peter Parler, oversaw the majority of the work. The initial idea was to build a functional construction for knight tournaments, and for many years the only decoration on the bridge was a simple crucifix. Later, the Catholic desire for ornamentation resulted in 30 statues being erected between 1600 and 1800

There are now 75 statues on Charles Bridge, but most are copies, as floods and catastrophes over the centuries damaged the originals. Perhaps the most interesting, as well as the oldest, is that of John of Nepomuk (8th from the right as you cross towards Prague Castle).

The first statue to be erected on the Charles Bridge is made of bronze. This is the statue of St. John of Nepomuk, the patron saint of Bohemia. According to legend John of Nepomuk refused to reveal the confessions of the wife of King Wenceslas IV, and was thrown off the side of the bridge to his death. On that same night, five stars appeared in the sky above the place of his death, which is why there is always a five-starred halo above any statue of St. John of Nepomuk.

There are a number of superstitions about some of the statues on the bridge. Our tour guide told us about the rubbing of the brass as a way to a make wish come true or to ensure a return to Prague. Even though the statues were replaced with replicas in the 1960s, the traditions continue

Some super views of the River Vltava from Charles Bridge